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Life Span of a Frilled Shark

By Tom Ryan

The frilled shark has never been held in captivity. In fact, because the creature lives as deep as 4,000 feet or more below the ocean's surface, he is rarely observed in his natural habitat. With a mouth holding about 300 sharp teeth, this hunter is well-equipped for hunting and self-defense. Even still, marine biologists almost never speculate on his potential life span, given their limited experience with him.

Science and Speculation

Because so little is known about the frilled shark, scientists do not have conclusive evidence or sufficient data to determine an average life span -- only that this fish is well-equipped to hunt. Marine biologists estimate that the frilled shark may live to be about 25 years old. With his needlelike teeth and wide jaws, he is capable of killing creatures larger than he is.

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Author

Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English writing, and has also worked as an arts and entertainment reporter with "The Pitt News" and a public relations and advertising copywriter with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.